Community Theatre Reopens In Fairfield Under SHU Management

FAIRFIELD, CT — Sacred Heart University signaled the start of a new era Tuesday for the old Fairfield Community Theatre, lighting the building’s marquee to show that, after months of renovations, the venue is open for business under university management.

“This new marquee restores the crown jewel on the Fairfield town square, and we couldn’t be more proud or happy,” said Bill Harris, director of what will now be called the Sacred Heart University Community Theatre, as he stood in front of the brightly lit marquee.

Amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the marquee lighting was a virtual event made available for the public to view online. The theater is conducting business online only for the time being, in the form of free streaming content and other events. The university plans to open the venue for small, socially distant, private gatherings in the coming weeks and gradually move toward larger events with a gala opening the first week of spring.

“We look forward to presenting a wide array of really great events when we can open,” Sacred Heart President John Petillo said in a video about the theater, recorded in advance of the marquee lighting.

In 2019, it was announced that local developer Kleban Properties had plans to buy the long-vacant theater and lease the space to Sacred Heart, which would turn it into an independent, nonprofit venue for cinema, performance and education.

“It has been a significant impact having it closed,” First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick said in the video. “We are looking so forward to the rebirth, as you will, of the community theater.”

In addition to the restored marquee, upgrades to the property have included a larger stage, a balcony with a skybox, a renovated front office and new digital technology, according to Harris.

The venue at Post and Unquowa roads opened about 1920 as a vaudeville stage and was then a movie theater before it closed in 2011.

Kleban committed to investing at least $4 million in renovating the building, and received a 10-year tax break from the town estimated to total just over $400,000 in revenue loss for Fairfield. The developer hoped to generate another $1 million for the project through private fundraising.

While Kleban paid to restore the buildings’ infrastructure, Sacred Heart financed design, technology and operating expenses. In February, the university sought donations to help pay for the costs of the theater improvements, but received only about $12,000 in contributions toward its $150,000 fundraising goal.